In this episode of the Doctor’s Lounge podcast, we’re joined by a trailblazing Australian surgeon who blends Western medical training with deep cultural knowledge and a holistic approach to health. From the realities of working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to the importance of keeping passion alive in medicine, he shares practical wisdom on balancing business, family life and patient care.
We explore traditional bush medicine, the value of listening, and why true healthcare goes beyond procedures to understanding fears, culture, food security and the social forces shaping health. This conversation shines a light on community, country and creating systems that help all Australians live well.
Tune in to the Doctor's Lounge podcast by Business for Doctors. In this episode, we’re joined by award-winning GP and AMA Queensland President, Dr Maria Bolton. From advocacy wins that help clinics stay open, to tackling vaping in schools, to building a successful private practice from scratch, Maria shares her insights on leadership, business planning, and collaboration in healthcare. Whether you’re a doctor, practice owner, or healthcare professional, get inspired by real stories, practical tips, and strategies to thrive in your career and practice.
We are joined by Dr Cate Howell, GP and mental health expert, at the BFD Brisbane Conference 2023. We explore the importance of mental well-being for doctors, practical strategies to manage imposter syndrome, and how small, consistent steps can help rewire your thinking. Dr Cate also shares her journey from clinical practice to writing books on mental health and well-being, offering insights that go beyond the consulting room. Tune in for expert advice, real stories, and actionable tips to support your personal and professional growth.
In this episode, we chat with Dr Bern-Mari Van Der Merwe, a UK-trained GP who made the big move to Australia with her family. She shares her journey navigating sponsorship, settling into Brisbane, and finding a practice that aligns with her passions in mental health, women's health, and patient-focused care. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about career, family, and building a life you love in medicine.
Join Dr Rene Lazzaro, a GP from New South Wales, as she shares her journey from bulk billing to private practice. Renee discusses valuing her time, navigating patient expectations, and creating a more sustainable, rewarding practice. Tune in for practical insights and real stories from a doctor embracing change.
Hear Dr Alvin Chua share his journey at the BFD Conference. Learn how he transitioned from medical fellow to running a successful practice, with insights on strategy, growth, and building a thriving healthcare business.
In this episode of the Doctors Lounge, we talk with Dr Antje, who has 20 years of experience in healthcare. Frustrated by working in other practices, she decided to open her own. With support from the BFD community and connections with fellow female practice owners in Melbourne, she now leads a thriving clinic with 10 GPs, dedicated to high-quality patient care.
Tune in to hear Dr Antje’s journey, key lessons, and practical tips for running a values-driven healthcare practice.
In this episode of the Doctors Lounge, Dr Elaine Sung shares her insights on leadership, innovation, and maintaining wellbeing in an ever-changing medical landscape. Tune in for practical advice and inspiration for today’s healthcare professionals.
In this episode of The Doctors Lounge, we chat with Dr Shree Vaka and Dr Ram Vepuri about their career journeys — from the UK to Australia — and how they’ve navigated transition, practice development and professional growth. A timely conversation for any doctor planning the next move.
In this episode of The Doctors Lounge Podcast by Business for Doctors, we sit down with Dr Mary Barson, GP, podcaster, and co-founder of Real Life Medicine.
Mary shares her personal journey from burnout in rural general practice to building a thriving online health business focused on lifestyle medicine and weight loss. She explains how real food, mindset, and sustainable lifestyle changes can transform not only physical health but also mental wellbeing - reducing inflammation, improving mood, and reversing conditions like insulin resistance and PCOS.
We also dive into her podcasting journey, the science behind diet and mood, the role of low-carb and keto approaches, and how doctors can empower patients with practical, evidence-based tools for long-term health.
This conversation is equal parts personal, practical, and inspiring - offering fresh insights into the power of lifestyle medicine for both patients and clinicians.
In this episode of The Doctors Lounge Podcast by Business for Doctors, we speak with Dr Nadine Boyd of Boyd Health about the rise of virtual GP services and the evolving role of practice management in a post-pandemic world.
Nadine shares her personal journey of burnout, stepping back to reset, and returning with a renewed perspective on healthcare leadership. She introduces Boyd Health’s innovative model - a virtual GP service designed to fill gaps in rural and remote areas, improve patient access, and ease workforce shortages by acting as a “locum in the cloud.”
We also explore the realities of practice management during COVID-19, from staffing, HR, IT, and compliance, to the pressures of government policy changes and vaccine rollouts. Nadine highlights why networking, mentorship, and peer support are vital for practice managers navigating an increasingly complex environment.
This conversation offers both inspiration and practical insights for doctors, practice managers, and health leaders interested in the intersection of technology, care delivery, and sustainable practice models.
In this episode of The Doctors Lounge Podcast by Business for Doctors, we’re joined by AJ Lemar from ASAP Telecom to discuss one of the most overlooked but critical aspects of running a medical practice - reliable phones and internet.
AJ explains why connectivity is more than just convenience; it’s the backbone of patient communication and practice efficiency. We dive into common challenges medical centres face, from unreliable NBN connections to poorly managed call flows, and explore practical solutions that ensure smooth operations.
We also unpack the pros and cons of cloud-based vs on-premise phone systems, how CRM integration and call recording can transform patient service, and why specialist providers like ASAP Telecom prioritise medical clients with hands-on, responsive support.
Whether you’re setting up a new clinic or upgrading existing systems, this episode offers valuable insights into building reliable, efficient communication solutions that keep your patients - and your business - connected.
In this episode of The Doctors Lounge Podcast by Business for Doctors, we sit down with Kerrie Carrucci, Brisbane-based stylist, speaker, and former civil engineer, to explore the powerful connection between style, confidence, and authenticity.
Kerrie shares her journey from engineering to fashion, and how her passion for helping people feel like the best version of themselves has shaped her career. We dive into the psychology of style, why dressing authentically boosts confidence, and how clothing choices can impact everything from boardroom presence to everyday wellbeing.
From wardrobe consultations and personal shopping to understanding colour psychology and lifestyle-driven styling, Kerrie explains how doctors and professionals alike can use fashion as a tool to project confidence and live more authentically.
Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role, managing imposter syndrome, or simply wanting to align your personal style with who you truly are, this conversation offers fresh insights and practical inspiration.
In this episode of The Doctors Lounge Podcast by Business for Doctors, we’re joined by Paul Jarvis of BFD Finance to unpack one of the biggest milestones many doctors face - buying their first home.
Paul shares the common questions he hears from first-time buyers, the mistakes to avoid, and how to prepare financially before you even start looking at properties. From understanding borrowing capacity and deposit requirements to navigating lenders’ mortgage insurance, parental gifts, and the “Bank of Mum and Dad,” this conversation is full of practical strategies tailored to medical professionals.
We also dive into how rising interest rates and lending buffers are affecting borrowing power, and why doctors have unique advantages when it comes to loan structures and deposit waivers.
Whether you’re still in hospital training, starting out as a GP, or planning the next stage of your financial journey, this episode will help you approach the property market with confidence.
In this episode, we’re joined by Julian Muldoon of 1Group Property Advisory, a specialist in helping doctors and practice owners navigate one of the biggest business decisions they’ll ever face - choosing the right location and property strategy for their private practice.
Julian explains the key considerations when deciding whether to buy or lease, from competitor analysis and demographic research to council regulations, parking, and permitted use requirements. He highlights the risks of rushing into a property purchase, the advantages of strategic leasing, and why due diligence is critical before signing contracts or bidding at auction.
We also explore how the healthcare property landscape has changed, with larger practices requiring more space, higher fit-out costs, and longer leases—making every decision more complex and higher stakes. Julian shares insights into national trends, site selection challenges, and how practices can secure locations that support both growth and long-term financial security.
Whether you’re starting a clinic, expanding into a new site, or weighing up buy vs lease, Julian’s advice will help you make smarter property decisions for the future of your practice.
In this episode, we’re joined by Young Han from RSM Australia, an accountant with over 15 years’ experience - specialising in finance for medical professionals.
Young shares how her work goes beyond compliance and tax returns, offering holistic financial strategies tailored to doctors, GPs, and specialists throughout their careers - from fresh graduates stepping into contracting, to established professionals preparing for retirement.
We explore the unique financial challenges facing the medical profession: heavy student debt, delayed income compared to peers, the high stress of clinical work, and limited time to build wealth. Young explains how structures like companies vs sole trading impact doctors’ futures, and why understanding MBS billing is critical not only for compliance, but also for delivering quality patient care while being properly rewarded.
As a contributor to the book Business Tips for Health Professionals, Young shares insights from her chapter on the benefits of company ownership and why financial literacy is essential for every medical professional. With lessons drawn from real client journeys, COVID-era pressures, and evolving tax and payroll laws, this conversation highlights why specialist advice matters in the medical industry.
Whether you’re just starting out or planning the next stage of your career, Young’s perspective will help you think strategically about your finances and your future.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr Newton Campbell, consultant to NASA and co-founder of AROSE, to explore the surprising links between space exploration and the medical industry.
Dr Campbell shares how Australia’s mining technologies are helping shape lunar and Martian missions, and how NASA’s innovations have spun off into life-saving medical advancements—from imaging algorithms now used in MRIs and CT scans, to cardiovascular devices inspired by rocket fuel pumps, and even lighting systems that reduce chemotherapy side effects.
We dive into the challenges of radiation in space, the future of DNA sequencing beyond Earth, and why Australia’s role in projects like the Square Kilometre Array telescope and Artemis missions positions it at the forefront of both astronomy and medicine.
This conversation reveals how the drive to explore space continues to fuel breakthroughs that transform healthcare here on Earth.
In this episode of The Doctors Lounge Podcast by Business for Doctors, we sit down with Dr Georgia Page and Dr Sam Pethen, partners at Your Family Doctors on the Central Coast, to hear their story of transitioning from doctors to practice owners.
They share the challenges of finding the right site, purchasing and growing an established clinic, and the steep learning curve of managing finances, HR, and systems without formal business training. From rebranding and differentiating themselves in a competitive area, to building a boutique-style general practice focused on continuity of care, Dr Page and Dr Pethen open up about the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
We also dive into their community involvement, creative use of social media, and how staying true to their values has helped them maintain a loyal patient base while expanding their team.
This episode is packed with honest insights for doctors considering ownership and practical advice on balancing medicine, business, and community.
What happens when a medical practice builds community impact into its foundation from day one? In this episode, we speak with a doctor who didn’t wait for funding or permission to act — launching an outreach program for women experiencing homelessness and domestic violence just six months after opening their clinic.
We explore the importance of early intervention, the ripple effect on emergency departments, and why providing meaningful care outside of the clinic can actually save the system money. Plus, we unpack the tension many doctors feel when it comes to charging for services — and why valuing your time is essential for sustainable care.
A must-listen for anyone blending business with purpose in medicine.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr Melanie Tan and Ben Elbaum from Rankin & Co to unpack the legal risks evolving in modern medicine - especially in fast-growing areas like telehealth.
From blurred lines in digital consultations to emerging medico-legal issues, they discuss how rapidly healthcare is changing and why doctors need more than just legal advice - they need translation between two complex worlds. With a doctor-lawyer duo at the helm, Rankin & Co offers a unique bridge between clinical practice and commercial law.
Whether you’re navigating contracts, risk mitigation, or patient complaints, this episode explores why context matters — and how to protect yourself while providing care.